Read Online Two Women by Brian Freemantle - Free Book Online

Northcote’s personal assistant.
    Janice Snow broke down at once and kept asking what she should do and Carver started to suggest she work with Hilda on the arrangements he’d already asked Hilda to make, but suddenly stopped, realizing his oversight. He allowed himself a rehearsing pause before asking if Janice had personally programmed Northcote’s computer, his irritation at himself transferring itself to Janice’s reply that it was one of her daily functions. Mr Northcote hadn’t liked or understood computers: scarcely known properly how to operate one. Just as promptly, without the need for any reference, she gave him what she insisted were all George Northcote’s entry codes and passwords.
    Carver remained undecided for a few moments, before saying: ‘This may seem a strange question in the circumstances. But it’s extremely important. Is there a special code or password that George used for extremely sensitive stuff … secret stuff, in fact?’
    Now the hesitation came from the woman. ‘You’ve got them all. They all duplicate with Manhattan, of course.’
    â€˜In which file or folder, of those you’ve given me, would George’s personal accounts have been kept?’
    The curiosity was discernible in Janice Snow’s voice. ‘I already told you, Mr Carver. He didn’t work like that.’
    â€˜You telling me there isn’t one?’
    â€˜That’s very much what I’m telling you. That there isn’t a specific one.’
    Could Janice Snow be part of it, whatever it was? She’d have to be if she was the person who’d entered all Northcote’s computer information. Would Northcote have told Janice what he knew? He’d be exposing himself, disclosing names to her. But only if she were part of it: was complicit. If she wasn’t, it would be an enquiry that only had relevance to him.
    He said: ‘I’ve some names I want to put to you. Do you know where the files are on a company named Mulder Inc.?’
    Janice gave time for her answer. ‘No.’
    â€˜Have you ever handled accounts on behalf of George for Mulder Inc.?’
    â€˜I’ve typed completion letters to them, in the Caymans, after an audit.’
    To go with the returns?’
    There was another hesitation. ‘They were sent separately.’
    â€˜So how were the returns made?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’
    â€˜You don’t know!’
    â€˜Mr Northcote had a special way of working, with some clients. Mulder was one of them. There were a lot of personal meetings.’
    â€˜You know the names of some Mulder executives: their in-house accountants?’
    â€˜No.’
    She had to be part of it, thought Carver. ‘Did George ever have you computerize any details of Mulder?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜What about anyone else on his personal staff? Other girls?’
    â€˜I did all that.’
    â€˜What about a company named Encomp?’
    There was a further pause. ‘I’ve typed some sign-off letters, to Grand Cayman again.’
    â€˜But no returns?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜What about Innsflow?’
    â€˜The same.’
    There was no purpose in continuing this long-distance conversation. With the passwords he could make a computer check of his own, despite what Janice had told him. ‘I want you to help Hilda, like I said. We’ll talk some more about George’s personal files when I get back.’
    â€˜OK.’
    If the woman were involved his asking about them would give her all the time in the world to hide or destroy everything.
    â€˜Is there something wrong?’ demanded Janice, openly.
    â€˜Nothing wrong at all,’ said Carver. ‘With everyone here in New York – with meetings and discussions to be held – I’m trying to bring myself as fully up to date as possible, as quickly as possible.’
    â€˜I’ll have it done by the time you get here